Why did efforts by federal officials to return Anthony Burns to slavery following the 1854 passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act spark intense controversy and violence?

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The repeal of the Missouri Compromise with the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act reignited the controversy over slavery and heightened tensions between the North and South. This led many northerners to actively oppose enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners. Anthony Burns was a runaway slave from Virginia who sought refuge in Boston, but federal officials attempted to return him to slavery under the Fugitive Slave Act. This sparked intense controversy and violence, as abolitionists clashed with federal authorities over the issue.

Why Did Efforts by Federal Officials to Return Anthony Burns